Videoendoscope

ABSTRACT

A videoendoscope comprising an inspection probe comprising an inspection tube and a distal endpiece secured to one end of the inspection tube and housing an imaging device; a video processor for processing the electrical signal delivered by the imaging device and for generating a video signal; a control handle comprising a control unit secured to the inspection tube to control the video processor and a display unit secured to a side face of the control unit and including a display screen connected to the video processor; and an umbilical cable having one end secured to the control unit and having its other end connected to a light source and to an electrical power supply.

[0001] The present invention relates to a videoendoscope intendedparticularly but not exclusively to endoscopy for industrial purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The term “endoscope” is generally used to designate a flexible orrigid probe for inserting into a dark cavity and enabling its user toobserve a target situated inside the cavity by means of an eyepiece. Forthis purpose, an endoscope includes a device for illuminating the targetand an optical device for providing the user with an optical image ofthe target. The optical device comprises a distal objective lens, arigid image transport device constituted by a series of lenses or aflexible image transport device constituted by an ordered bundle ofoptical fibers, and a proximal eyepiece through which the user canobserve visually the image of the target. The lighting device isgenerally constituted by a bundle of lighting fibers with the distal endthereof being appropriately disposed close to the distal objective lensto light the target when the proximal end of the bundle is connected toa light generator.

[0003] The term “videoendoscope” is used to designate a flexible orrigid probe enabling its user to observe on a video screen the image ofa target situated in a dark cavity. To this end, a videoendoscopegenerally comprises the following elements:

[0004] a distal endpiece housing an optoelectronic device comprising inparticular an objective lens and a charged-coupled device (CCD) sensorhaving a sensitive surface on which the objective lens forms an image ofthe target;

[0005] a flexible inspection tube whose distal end is secured to thedistal endpiece;

[0006] a control handle secured to the proximal end of the inspectiontube;

[0007] a flexible umbilical cable for connection purposes whose distalend is secured to the control handle and whose proximal end is designedto be connected to an external unit containing a light generator and anelectrical power supply;

[0008] a bundle of lighting fibers housed in the umbilical cable, in thecontrol handle, and in the inspection tube, with the distal end of thebundle housed in the distal endpiece serving to light the target whenthe proximal end of the bundle is connected to a light generator;

[0009] a video processor electrically connected to the CCD sensor, withsynchronization thereof being controlled as a function of the length ofthe electrical cable connecting it to the CCD sensor;

[0010] a video screen connected to the video processor; and

[0011] a control panel enabling the operation of the video processor andpossibly also that of the video screen to be adjusted.

[0012] Flexible videoendoscopes also have an articulated bending sectionat the distal end enabling the distal endpiece of the probe to besteered, the control handle then generally including mechanical orelectrochemical control means enabling the bending section to beactuated. The electromechanical control means for the distal bendingsection generally comprise two motors housed in the control handle andactuating respective pulleys connected by cables to the distal bendingsection, the motors being controlled by means of a joystick integratedin the control panel.

[0013] Videoendoscopes of recent design can also be associated with adigital system for freezing, processing, and storing images suitable forbeing controlled directly by the control panel of the videoendoscope.

[0014] In the architectures used by various present-day videoendoscopemanufacturers:

[0015] the video processor is integrated either in the control handle,or in the connection unit of the probe, or in the external unitcontaining the light generator;

[0016] the video monitor may be integrated in the control handle or maybe connected to the external unit; and

[0017] the control panel of the video processor and of the video monitormay be integrated either in the control handle, or in the external unit.

[0018] The control handle of the videoendoscope constituting the subjectmatter of the present invention contains the video monitor, the controlpanel for the video processor, and possibly also the steering controls,the video processor being housed in a connection unit constituting theproximal end of the umbilical cable, or preferably being housed in thecontrol handle.

[0019] Control handles of this type are usually in the form of anelongate unit secured to a video monitor disposed transversely on saidunit. The inspection tube is secured to the distal end of the unit whilethe umbilical cable is secured to its proximal end. Generally, thecontrol panel is integrated in the control unit.

[0020] As a result, the dimensions of the video monitor are necessarilysmall so as to avoid making the handle too heavy and unbalancing itscenter of gravity. It is therefore often necessary to connect thevideoendoscope to an external video monitor of larger dimensions,thereby directly affecting the independence and the mobility of theequipment.

[0021] In addition, the user is hindered by the umbilical cable securedto the proximal end of the control handle.

[0022] One such control handle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,712filed by the Applicant, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,317.

[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,586 describes a connection module for avideoendoscope probe enabling the probe to be connected to an externalunit that is specially adapted, including in particular a lightgenerator, a video processor, and an electrical power supply. Thatconnection module comprises electronic circuits such as amplifiers andclock delay compensators which are adjusted as a function of the lengthof the probe, so as to enable probes of different lengths to beconnected thereto.

[0024] European patent application No. 0 587 514 also describes aconnection module for a videoendoscope probe, the module including avideo processor adjusted as a function of the length of the probe, saidconnection module being pluggable in a specific external unit housing alight generator and an electrical power supply.

[0025] The videoendoscopes described in those documents require the userto acquire a specifically-adapted external unit that includes a lightgenerator and an electrical power supply presenting characteristics thatare likewise specific. However, it often happens that the users of suchvideoendoscope probes already have light generators for such probes. Inaddition, it is preferable to be able to have a plurality of lightgenerators available so as to be able to continue using a probe even inthe event of one of the generators breaking down.

[0026] An example of an electromechanical device for controlling distalsteering is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,454. Thatelectromechanical device comprises two servo-motors each actuating arespective pulley driving a pair of cables whose two ends are fixed tothe distal bending section in order to transmit movements of the pulleythereto, thereby steering the articulated distal bending section in aplane, with the two planes in which the distal bending section issteered respectively by the two servo-motors being perpendicular to eachother.

[0027] That device also includes a servo-motor control circuitgenerating a train of pulses for each servo-motor with the width of thepulses being adjusted by means of a potentiometer. The twopotentiometers are actuated mechanically by the movements in twoperpendicular planes of a joystick actuated manually by the user.

[0028] Because a joystick is used to actuate the potentiometers,prolonged manual action on the joystick leads to permanent deflectionthereof and thus to a permanent specific steered configuration of theremote bending section. However as soon as the user releases thejoystick, it returns to its neutral position, and the same applies tothe bending section.

[0029] In addition, it is found that that solution does not enable theangular positions of the pulleys to be determined. That drawback isparticularly troublesome, given that the user cannot perceive naturallythe orientation of the bending section whose movements are controlled bythe joystick.

[0030] In principle, when the joystick is in its middle position thebending section takes up a neutral orientation, i.e. it lies on the axisof the distal end of the probe. Consequently, if the joystick presents apermanent deflected position, the bending section likewise presents apermanent deflected orientation, which makes such a device awkward touse.

[0031] U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,238 describes another example of anelectromechanical device for controlling a distal bending section, thedevice comprising direct current (DC) motors controlled by controlbuttons, the controlling electronics of that device being disposed in anexternal unit. That device requires encoders to be provided fordetermining the respective angular positions of the motors, and thuselectronic servo-control of said angular positions.

[0032] Endoscopes and videoendoscopes presenting a flexible inspectiontube are generally stored by winding the inspection tube around a drum.

[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,369 describes such a drum mounted to turn ona base and comprising a foam hub presenting housings for storing thedistal endpiece of the probe and the connector situated at the proximalend, said housings being closed by a side cover. As a result such a drummust be removed from its storage case before it is possible to use theprobe.

[0034] European patent No. 0 276 139 and U.S. application Ser. No.2002/0 032 365 describe storage drums for videoendoscope probes, withthe probes being wound around said drums beginning by the distal end,the hub of a drum including means for connecting the proximal end of theprobe to an electrical power supply and a light source. That enables theprobe to be used without it being necessary to unwind it completely fromthe drum. Nevertheless, that solution presents the drawback of requiringthe light source and the video processor to be integrated in the hub ofthe drum and rotary electrical connectors to be provided for poweringthe probe, where such connection means are very expensive, not veryreliable in the long term, and give rise to electrical losses. Inaddition, that solution makes the probe unusable with a differentstorage case.

[0035] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,070 describes a storage case fora videoendoscope or endoscope inspection tube comprising a spiral-woundstorage tube in which the inspection tube is engaged. As a result, oneach insertion and extraction into and from the storage case, theinspection tube and in particular its distal endpiece rubs against theinside wall of the storage tube. Once a certain length of the inspectiontube has been engaged in the storage tube, the force needed to overcomefriction forces becomes very large and there is a danger of damaging theinspection tube, and in particular the junction between the inspectiontube and the control handle, by exaggerated twisting of the inspectiontube. This risk of twisting requires the sheath of the inspection tubeto be reinforced, at least in the vicinity of the control unit, thusleading to extra cost. Furthermore, that solution is not suitable forendoscopes having an inspection tube that is long, in particular longerthan 6 meters (m).

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0036] An object of the present invention is to make such avideoendoscope more ergonomic. This object is achieved by providing avideoendoscope comprising:

[0037] an inspection probe comprising an inspection tube having a distalendpiece housing an optoelectronic imaging device delivering anelectrical signal;

[0038] a video processor for processing the electrical signal deliveredby the imaging device in order to generate a video signal;

[0039] a control handle comprising a control unit secured to theproximal end of the inspection tube and provided with means forcontrolling and adjusting the video processor;

[0040] an umbilical connection cable whose distal end is secured to thecontrol unit for connecting the videoendoscope to a light source and toan electrical power supply;

[0041] a display unit including a video display screen connected to thevideo processor in order to display the video signal; and

[0042] a bundle of lighting fibers integrated without interruption inthe umbilical cable, in the control handle, and then in the inspectiontube, and having a distal end housed in the distal endpiece that servesto light a target observed by the probe when the proximal end of theumbilical cable is connected to a light generator.

[0043] According to the invention, the display unit is secured to a sideface of the control unit, the control unit having a control panel on atop face and carrying the means for controlling and adjusting the videoprocessor, and being of elongate shape between its distal end and itsproximal end so as to be suitable for being held in one hand whileallowing the control members to be actuated by using the thumb of saidhand.

[0044] Advantageously, the umbilical cable is connected to the controlunit via a side face thereof.

[0045] In an embodiment of the invention, the display unit is secured tothe control unit via a hinge enabling the display screen to be tiltedabout an axis perpendicular to the side face of the control unit, thedisplay unit being electrically coupled to the control unit by means ofelectrical conductors passing through the hinge.

[0046] Advantageously, the hinge is constituted by a connector providingreleasable mechanical and electrical connection between the display unitand the control unit.

[0047] In an embodiment of the invention, the proximal end of theumbilical cable is secured to a connection unit fitted with connectionmeans for connection to the proximal end of the bundle of lightingfibers and to a light generator, and connection means for connecting thevideoendoscope probe to an electrical power supply.

[0048] Advantageously, the connection endpiece has fixing means forfixing a mechanical adapter to adapt the connection endpiece to theconnection endpiece of any light generator, the control panel includinga control member for controlling initialization of the video processoras a function of the color temperature of the lamp of the lightgenerator.

[0049] Preferably, the video processor is included in the control unit.

[0050] In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit hasmechanical and electrical coupling means on both side faces to enablethe display unit to be fixed and electrically connected to either sideface of the control unit.

[0051] Alternatively, the video processor is integrated in the displayunit or in a connection unit for connecting the proximal end of theumbilical cable to an external unit.

[0052] Another object of the present invention is to provide the userwith the possibility of connecting a videoendoscope probe having its ownvideo processor to a light generator of the user's choice, to a standardelectrical power supply, and/or to an external unit including, inparticular, a system for processing and storing video images.

[0053] This object is achieved by the fact that the connection unitfurther comprises connection means for connecting the probe to a systemfor processing and/or storing images, the videoendoscope probe furthercomprising switch means designed to deliver to the video screen eitherthe video signal coming from the video processor or the video signalcoming from the system for processing and/or storing images.

[0054] Advantageously, the control unit has means for controlling asystem for processing and/or storing images, which system is connectedto the connection means of the connect unit, said connection meansincluding a pin for transmitting the video signal generated by the videoprocessor to a video input of the system for processing and/or storingimages, a pin for transmitting to the switch means a video signalgenerated by the system for processing and/or storing images, and a pinfor connecting the control means of the control unit to a controlinterface of the system for processing and/or storing images.

[0055] Preferably, the videoendoscope further comprises means forcontrolling the switch means to direct the video signal coming from thesystem for processing and/or storing images to the video screenimmediately said system is connected to the connection means.

[0056] In an embodiment of the invention, the switch means areintegrated in the control unit, or in the display unit or in theconnection unit.

[0057] In an embodiment of the invention, the connection means forconnecting the probe to a system for processing and/or storing imagesincludes a connection pin enabling the videoendoscope to be powered froman electrical power supply associated with the system for processingand/or storing images.

[0058] In an embodiment of the invention, the connection unit includesmeans for connecting the videoendoscope probe to an auxiliary electricalpower supply.

[0059] In an embodiment of the invention, the connection unit includesmeans for connecting the videoendoscope probe to an auxiliary videomonitor, the switch means including means for sending the video signalapplied to the input of the video screen towards the connection meansfor connection to the auxiliary video monitor.

[0060] Advantageously, the control handle has means for controlling theswitch means.

[0061] Another object of the present invention is to fit such avideoendoscope with a distal bending section enabling the distalendpiece of the probe to be steered in order to change its field of viewwhile avoiding the above-described drawbacks of prior art solutions.This object is achieved by the fact that the control unit furtherincludes:

[0062] an electromechanical device designed to deform a deformabledistal bending section integrated in the distal end of the inspectiontube in order to steer the distal end of the inspection tube and thussteer the observation window of the probe, the electromechanical devicecomprising two motors actuating the distal bending section via tworespective pairs of cables for steering the distal end of the inspectiontube in two respective planes;

[0063] a processor delivering two control signals that are appliedrespectively to the two motors; and

[0064] command input means comprising two command input membersconnected to the processor to input commands intended for the two motorsrespectively, each of the two command members having a first state inwhich the processor controls the corresponding motor to keep theorientation of the distal end of the inspection tube fixed, and secondand third states in which the processor controls the respective motor tocause the distal end of the inspection tube to vary its orientationrespectively in one direction and in the opposite direction.

[0065] Advantageously, each of the motors is of the servo-motor typeactuating a pulley coupled to a respective cable pair and of angularposition that can be controlled by the respective control signalgenerated by the processor and applied to the motor, each control signalbeing in the form of a pulse train, with the width of the pulsescorresponding to a determined angular position of the pulley, theprocessor comprising means for keeping the width of the pulses in eachcontrol signal constant so long as the respective control member is inits first state, and for increasing and decreasing the width of thepulses at a predefined speed whenever the corresponding control memberis respectively in its second or third state.

[0066] Preferably, it includes an additional control member integratedin the control panel and connected to the processor to cause the widthof the pulses in the control signals applied to the motors to becontrolled in such a manner as to be equal to a middle valuecorresponding to zero deformation of the distal bending section.

[0067] Advantageously, the additional control member is integrated inthe control input means for controlling the distal bending section.

[0068] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the two controlmembers comprises a pair of contacts which are both open in the firststate, with one or other of the contacts being closed in the second andthird states.

[0069] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the control memberscomprises two pushbuttons integrated in the control panel to actuate tworespective contacts which are in the open state when at rest, and whichpass to the closed state when the corresponding pushbutton is heldpressed down.

[0070] In an embodiment of the invention, the means for inputtingcommands for the bending section comprise a joystick suitable foractuating both command input members simultaneously.

[0071] Preferably, the videoendoscope includes an additional controlmember integrated in the control panel to modify the speed at which thedistal end of the inspection tube is steered by selecting a slow speedor a fast speed.

[0072] Alternatively, the processor is programmed to select a fast speedof variation for steering the distal end the inspection tube if at leastone of the two control members is maintained in the second or thirdstate for a duration longer than a predefined threshold, and to select aslow speed for varying the steering of the distal end of the inspectiontube if both control members are in the first state.

[0073] Advantageously, the processor is programmed to determine theorientation of the distal end of the inspection tube as a function ofthe form of the control signals applied respectively to two motors, andto display on the display screen symbols representing the determinedorientation.

[0074] Another object of the present invention is also to provide astorage case for such a videoendoscope that avoids the above-describeddrawbacks of the prior art.

[0075] This object is achieved by the fact that the videoendoscopeincludes a storage and transport case containing an electrical powersupply and a lighting generator, the storage case containing a drumaround which the probe can be wound, the drum being mounted in such amanner as to be capable of turning freely about its axis and having atubular cavity for receiving the distal end of the probe, and openingout tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the drum.

[0076] Advantageously, the drum comprises a central hub held between twoside plates on the same axis, the cavity being made from one of the sidefaces of the hub and being closed latterly by one of the two sideplates.

[0077] Preferably, the central hub is made of a material presenting ahigh coefficient of friction.

[0078] Also preferably, the central hub is made of a hard cellular foam.

[0079] In an embodiment of the invention, the storage case has a housingin which the drum is secured, the housing possessing an opening givingaccess to a portion of the cylindrical surface of the drum.

[0080] In an embodiment of the invention, the case has a lid whoseinside face is covered in foam, the drum being mounted in the case insuch a manner as to be prevented from rotating by the foam in the lidwhen the lid is closed on the case.

[0081] Preferably, the inside diameter of the cylindrical cavity isslightly greater than the greatest diameter of the distal end of theprobe that is to be wound about the drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below by wayof non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

[0083]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a videoendoscopefitted with a control handle in accordance with the invention;

[0084]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view showinga variant in accordance with the invention of the control handle shownin FIG. 1;

[0085]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal architecture of thevideoendoscope shown in FIG. 1;

[0086]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal architecture of anendoscope constituting a variant of the architecture shown in FIG. 3;

[0087]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing in greater detail a variant ofthe internal architecture of the videoendoscope shown in FIG. 1;

[0088]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the architecture of a simplified videosystem associating the videoendoscope probe shown in FIG. 1 with a lightgenerator and an electrical power supply;

[0089]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the architecture of a complex videosystem associating the videoendoscope probe shown in FIG. 1 with a lightgenerator and an external power supply unit containing a specific devicefor processing and storing video images;

[0090]FIG. 8 shows an electromechanical device for actuating a distalbending section suitable for being fitted to the videoendoscope probeshown in FIG. 1;

[0091]FIG. 9 shows a portion of the electromechanical device shown inFIG. 8 in greater detail;

[0092]FIG. 10 shows an electronic control circuit of the invention forthe electromechanical device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;

[0093]FIG. 11 shows a way of representing the orientation of the distalbending section on a video screen;

[0094]FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a case for storingand transporting a videoendoscope probe of the invention, the probebeing shown outside the case;

[0095]FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the storage andtransport case shown in FIG. 12 with the probe in place in the case;

[0096]FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a detailof the drum on which an endoscope inspection tube of the invention iswound; and

[0097]FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively an axial view and a transverseview of the hub of the drum shown in FIG. 14.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a videoendoscope comprising a control handlemade up of a control unit 2 substantially in the form of an elongaterectangular parallelepiped presenting a distal end to which the proximalend of a videoendoscope inspection probe is connected.

[0099] The control unit 2 is also coupled to an umbilical cable 4 whoseproximal end is secured to a connection device 40 enabling the endoscopeprobe to be connected to a light source 52 and to an electrical powersupply 51 (see FIG. 3).

[0100] The inspection probe comprises an inspection tube 10 and a distalendpiece 12 connected to the distal end of the inspection tube. Thedistal endpiece 12 conventionally contains an imaging device comprisinga distal objective lens 14 forming a real image of the observed targeton the photosensitive layer of a CCD sensor 15 (see FIG. 3), preferablya color sensor, with which the objective lens is associated. The CCDsensor is coupled to an interface microcircuit 16 for correcting theelectrical signals received or generated by the CCD sensor. Theinterface circuit 16 is connected to the control handle 2 by amulticonductor cable 18 that passes along the inspection tube 10 andthat conveys voltages for powering the imaging device, signals forsynchronizing the CCD sensor, and the electrical signal delivered bysaid sensor.

[0101] The control handle also comprises a display unit 3 secured to thecontrol unit 2 and containing a video processor 39 connected to theimaging device by the multiconductor link cable 18 that passes along theinspection tube 10, and a display screen 5, e.g. of the video monitortype, possibly a color monitor, controlled by the video processor andhoused in the display unit. The display screen 5 is preferably flat andlightweight, e.g. being of the liquid crystal display (LCD) type, andthe display unit 3 presents dimensions that correspond substantially tothose of the display screen.

[0102] Provision can be made for the top edge and a top portion of theside edges of the display screen 5 to be raised so as to form asunshield 6.

[0103] The control unit 2 has a top face on which a control panel 20 isdisposed comprising buttons 23 to 26 for controlling the endoscope andthe video monitor 5.

[0104] More precisely, the control panel 20 has the following buttons:

[0105] a set of buttons 23 for directly adjusting the main parameters ofthe video processor 39 and the video monitor 5 (in particular brightnessand contrast);

[0106] a button 25 giving access to a menu for selecting functions foradjusting all of the operating parameters of the video processor;

[0107] four directional or navigation buttons 24 for selecting optionsin the various menus accessed by means of the button 25; and

[0108] a button 26 for controlling white balance which is applied to thevideo processor.

[0109] The distal face of the endpiece 12 also has a lighting window 13in register with the distal end of a continuous bundle of lightingfibers 17 housed in the inspection probe 10, in the control handle 2,and then in the umbilical cable 4 so as to connect the lighting window13 without any interruption to the proximal end of the umbilical cable 4secured to a lighting connection endpiece 34 housed in the connectionunit 30 of the videoendoscope probe. The lighting window 13 is disposedon the distal endpiece 12 in such a manner as to light the targetsituated in the field of view of the optical window 14 when the lightingendpiece 34 of the connection device 30 is connected to a lightgenerator 52 (see FIG. 3).

[0110] Furthermore, the inspection probe may include an articulateddistal bending section 11 which is deformed under the control of cables19 housed in the inspection tube 10 and actuated by a control card 27including motors and housed in the control unit 2 (see FIG. 3). In thiscase, the control unit 2 includes a control device 21 having fourdegrees of freedom, e.g. of the joystick type, connected to the controlcard in order to control the motors.

[0111] In a first preferred variant of the invention, the display unit 3is secured to a side face 28 of the control unit 2.

[0112] In this way, the user can hold the assembly comprising thecontrol unit 2 and the display unit 3 in both hands, one hand holdingthe control unit and the other the display unit. Because of the elongateshape of the control unit 2, the user can simultaneously hold thecontrol unit and display unit assembly and can also access all of thebuttons on the control panel 20 using the thumb.

[0113] In addition, the dimensions of the display screen 5 may beconsiderably larger than is possible with control handles of the priorart.

[0114] By means of the invention, there is thus no need to make use onall occasions of an external video monitor, thus improving theadvantages of the videoendoscope in terms of ability to operateindependently, mobility, and simplicity and ease of implementation anduse.

[0115] The umbilical cable 4 is preferably connected to the control unit2 via a side face thereof. In this way, the user is less impeded by thecable. Naturally, the zone where the umbilical cable 4 is connected tothe control unit 2 can be the side face 28 to which the display unit 3is connected or the other side face of the control unit 2.

[0116] The side face 28 is preferably situated on the left-hand side forthe user, thus enabling the user to actuate the control panel 20 of thecontrol unit 2 using the right hand.

[0117] In another preferred variant of the invention, as shown in FIG.2, the display unit 3′ is secured to the control unit 2 via a hinge 9enabling the screen 5 to be tilted relative to the control unit 2 aboutan axis perpendicular to its side face 28. This disposition enables thescreen 5 to be tilted as a function of its position relative to the eyesof the user, and to eliminate reflections. In this case, the wiresproviding electrical connections between the display unit and thecontrol unit advantageously pass via the hinge 9.

[0118] In the two variants of the invention described above, provisioncan be made for the display unit 3, 3′ to be removable anddisconnectable from the control unit 2. In which case, the display unitis pluggable sideways onto the control unit 2.

[0119] In the second variant, the hinge 9 may be constituted by aconnector providing both electrical connection and mechanical connectionfor the display unit 3′ on the side of the control unit 2, while stillallowing these two units to pivot relative to each other and to beseparated.

[0120] In both variants, the control unit 2 may have mechanical andelectrical coupling means on two side faces so as to enable the displayunit 3, 3′ to be secured and connected electrically to either side faceof the control unit, depending on whether the user is right-handed orleft-handed.

[0121] In another variant of the invention as shown in FIG. 4, the videoprocessor is housed in the control unit 2. In this way, the control unit2 of the invention can be used either with a display unit 3″ with whichit is electrically and mechanically coupled in releasable manner, orelse with an external video monitor via a connection cable.

[0122] It should be observed that because the video processor is locatedin the control handle, the multiconductor electrical cable connectingthe video processor to the CCD interface circuit 16 is of fixed length.As a result the video processor can be set in the factory as a functionof the length of the cable.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 5, the control handle 2 also houses a videomultiplexer 80 enabling the video screen 5 to display either the imagedelivered by the video processor, or else video images delivered by adevice 58 for processing and/or storing images and suitable for beingconnected to the connection device 30 via a connection cable 49.

[0124] The umbilical cable 4 houses both a bundle of lighting fibers 17for the videoendoscope probe and also a multiconductor electrical cablealong which a general electrical power supply voltage is conveyed to thecontrol handle 2, together with a video signal delivered by the videomultiplexer 80, logic control signals interchanged between the controlhandle 2 and a device 58 for processing and/or storing video images andsuitable for connection to the connection device 30, and a video signaldelivered by the device for processing and/or storing images.

[0125] The connection device 30 is fitted with a cylindrical connectionendpiece 34 connected to the proximal end of the bundle of fibers forlighting the videoendoscope probe. The connection endpiece 34 has athread 36 for receiving a mechanical adapter 35 corresponding to themechanical standard of the lighting connector of a light generator 52 asselected by the user. The connection device 30 also comprises aconnector base 31 suitable for being connected to a DC power supply, avideo output connector base 32 receiving the video signal output by thevideo multiplexer housed in the control handle 2 and suitable forconnection to an auxiliary video monitor, and a multipin connector base33 for connection to an external device 58 for processing and/or storingvideo images.

[0126] The touch-sensitive buttons 23, 24, and 25 of the control panel20 enable the user both to manage the video functions of the videoprocessor housed in the control handle 2, and the functions of thedevice 58 for storing and/or processing images and suitable for beingconnected to the multipin connector base 33 of the connection device 30.The touch-sensitive button 26 serves to adjust automatically the whitebalance of the video processor 39 as a function of the spectralcharacteristics of the lighting delivered by the lighting window 13 ofthe distal endpiece 12 of the inspection tube 10, and thus the spectralcharacteristics of the lamp in the light generator to which the lightingconnector 34 of the connection device 30 is connected.

[0127] More precisely, in FIG. 5, the control handle 2 houses thefollowing elements:

[0128] the electromechanical assembly 27 combining two servo-motors foractuating cables 19 for controlling the bending section 11 situated atthe distal end of the inspection tube 10, together with electronicdevices for managing said servo-motors;

[0129] the video processor 39 connected to the distal CCD sensor 15 ofthe videoendoscope probe by a multiconductor cable 18 housed in theinspection tube 10 and along which there pass synchronization signalsfor the CCD sensor as generated by the video processor, the electricalsignal generated by the CCD sensor, and the electrical power supply forthe CCD sensor, the video processor delivering a standard video signalover a link 74 which is connected to an input of the video multiplexer80;

[0130] the video screen 5 connected via a link 75 to an output of themultiplexer 80 and enabling the video signal delivered by the videomultiplexer to be viewed;

[0131] a logic card 68 generating over a link 73 a control signal forthe video multiplexer 80 and control signals for the video processor 39and the video screen 5, and over a link 72 control signals for theexternal device 58 for processing and storing images, as a function ofcommands input by means of the control panel 20;

[0132] the control panel 20 with its buttons generating orders both forthe devices that manage the servo-motors that control the bendingsection, and also for the logic card 68; and

[0133] a power supply circuit 69 receiving over a link 71 an externalpower supply voltage and generating the power supplies needed by thevarious elements 5, 27, 39, and 68 of the control handle 2, and also thepower supply voltages needed by the imaging device integrated in thedistal endpiece 12 of the inspection tube 10.

[0134] The video multiplexer 80 includes a switch 89 having two inputs83 and 84, an output 81, and a control input 82. A first input 83 of theswitch 89 receives, via an amplifier 87, the video signal 74 deliveredby the video processor 39. The second input 84 of the switch 89 receivesthe video signal delivered by the external device for processing andstoring images. The output 81 of the switch 89 delivers the video signalselected by the switch 89 to the video screen 5 via an amplifier 85, andvia an amplifier 86 and a coaxial connection 40 to the connector base ofthe video output 32 from the connection unit 30. The control input 82 ofthe switch receives via the link 73 the logic signal delivered by thelogic card 68.

[0135] The connection device 30 houses the proximal end 37 of the bundleof lighting fibers 17 of the videoendoscope probe.

[0136] The connector base 31 for connection to an auxiliary power supplyis connected via a diode 47 and the cable 71 to the power supply card 69housed in the control handle.

[0137] The connector base 33 has four pins 43, 44, 45, and 46 which maybe connected, as shown in FIG. 5, by means of a cable 49 to a connectorbase 53 having four pins 54, 55, 56, and 57 provided on an external unit50′.

[0138] The power supply pin 44 is connected via a diode 48 and the cable71 to the power supply card 69 housed in the control handle. The pin 45is connected via the link 72 to the logic card 68 included in thecontrol handle 2 in order to allow control signals issued by the logiccard 68 in the control handle 2 to travel to the external device 58 forprocessing video images. The pin 46 receives via a link 42 and anamplifier of the video multiplexer 80 the video signal 74 delivered bythe video processor 39 housed in the control handle 2. The pin 43delivers the video signal generated by the image processing device 58over the link 41 connected to the input 84 of the video switch 89.

[0139] Advantageously, the connector base 39 has an additional pin (notshown) which is connected to the logic card 68 in order to triggeractivation of the multiplexer 80 as soon as an image processor system isconnected to the connector base 33.

[0140] Naturally, the video multiplexer 80 may alternatively beintegrated in the display unit 3 or in the connection unit 30. In whichcase, the video processor 39 may also be integrated in the connectionunit.

[0141] The above-described videoendoscope probe fitted with themultiplexer 80 and the connection device 30 can be connected to anylight generator by using an adapter 35 corresponding to the connectorbase of the generator. It may also be connected to an auxiliary videomonitor and to a system 58 for processing and/or storing images, whilestill making it possible to view the images recorded by such a system onthe screen of the control handle, and to control the system from thecontrol handle. Thus, the four navigation buttons 24 (arrows pointing infour directions) on the control handle can be configured for acting innormal operation to cause the image viewed on the screen 5 to berecorded (up arrow), the most recently recorded image to be deleted(down arrow), the previous recorded image to be displayed on the screen5 (left arrow), and the next image to be displayed on the screen (rightarrow).

[0142] These dispositions make the endoscope probe of the invention veryflexible and ergonomic in use.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 6, the videoendoscope of the invention may beintegrated in a simple video system comprising a light generator 52 anda conventional DC power supply 90.

[0144] For this purpose, the adapter 35 is screwed onto the lightingconnection endpiece 34 of the connection display 30 and is plugged intoa lighting connector 38 of the light generator 52 and the amount oflight delivered can be controlled by turning a knob 91 for controlling adiaphragm. In addition, the electrical power supply connector 31 of theconnection device 30 is connected by a cord 92 to the external powersupply 90.

[0145] The video output connector base 32 of the connection device 30can be connected via a coaxial cord 94 to an auxiliary video monitor 93enabling the video signal generated by the video processor integrated inthe control handle of the videoendoscope probe to be viewed, in whichcase the image on the auxiliary monitor 93 is identical to the imagedisplayed on the video screen 5 of the control handle.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 7, the videoendoscope probe of the invention canbe integrated in a video system that is more complex, comprising a lightgenerator 52 and an external unit 50′ containing, as shown in greaterdetail in FIG. 5, a DC power supply 51 and a device 58 for processingand/or storing video images on a memory card 59 that is preferablyremovable.

[0147] To this end, the adapter 35 screwed onto the lighting connectionendpiece 34 of the connection device 30 is plugged into the lightingconnector 38 of the light generator 52 and the amount of light deliveredcan be controlled by turning the diaphragm control knob 91.

[0148] The multipin connector base 33 of the connection device 30 isconnected via the multiconductor cord 49 to the multipin connector base53 of the external unit 50′.

[0149] In the external unit 50′ shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 thepin 54 of the multipin connector 53 for connection to the pin 44 of theconnector base 33 is connected to the power supply circuit 51. The pin56 for connection to the pin 46 is connected to a video input of thedevice 58 for processing and storing video images. The pin 57 forconnection to the pin 43 is connected to a video output of the device58. The pin 55 for connection to the pin 45 is connected to a logiccontrol input/output of the dialog device 58.

[0150] The cord 49 conveys the following signals:

[0151] the video signal generated by the video processor integrated inthe control handle 2.

[0152] the video signal generated by the device 58 for processing and/orstoring images that is included in the external unit 50′;

[0153] the power supply voltage generated by the external unit 50′; and

[0154] the control signals for the unit 50′ as generated by the controlhandle as the result of the user activating the buttons 24 of thecontrol panel 20.

[0155] As for the system shown in FIG. 6, an auxiliary video monitor 93may be connected via a coaxial cord 94 to the video output connectorbase 32 of the connection device 30 in order to use said auxiliarymonitor to view the video images delivered by the video multiplexerincluded in the control handle, these images being identical to thosedisplayed on the video screen 5 of the control handle.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 8, the distal bending section 11 is steered intwo perpendicular planes under the control of two pairs of drive cables103 & 105 and 104 & 106 housed in the inspection tube 10 and actuated byan electromechanical device 27 housed in the control handle 2.

[0157] This device comprises two servo-motors 114, 115 and a servo-motorcontrol device. The two servo-motors 114, 115 turn respective pulleys118, 119 via respective shafts 116, 117, the pulleys actuating tworespective pairs of cables 103 & 105 and 104 & 106, the distal ends ofboth pairs of cables being fixed to the bending section 11 in order tocontrol steering thereof in two respective mutually-perpendicularplanes.

[0158] The servo-motors 114, 115 and the servo-motor control device arehoused in the control handle 2 which, for this purpose, has threecompartments 111, 112, and 113. The compartment 111 secured to theproximal end of the inspection tube 10 houses the control circuit forthe servo-motors 114 and 115, while the other two compartments 112 and113 house the servo-motors 114 and 115 respectively.

[0159] The compartments 112 and 113 are advantageously offsettransversely so that their pulleys 118 and 119 are suitably positionedin two parallel planes.

[0160] The distal bending section 11 of the inspection probe 10 isconstituted by a series of rings 100 connected to one another by hingesenabling said bending unit to be deformed so as to steer its distal endin two perpendicular planes. The last ring constituting the distal endof the bending section 2 is secured to a ring 101 that is pierced byfour longitudinal holes disposed at 90° to one another and having thedistal ends of the four drive cables 103, 104, 105, and 106 fixedtherein. The last ring constituting the proximal end of the bendingsection 11 is likewise securely fixed to a ring 102 pierced by fourlongitudinal holes disposed at 90° to one another and in which the fourcables 103 to 106 can slide freely. The proximal face of said ring alsoserves as a stationary abutment for four flexible sheaths 107, 108, 109,and 110 in which the four cables 103 to 106 slide respectively.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 8 and in greater detail in FIG. 9, the pulley118 drive by the shaft 116 of the servo-motor 114 and actuating the pairof cables 104 & 106 comprises a central core 123 secured to twolarger-diameter side plates 121, 122 with circular through orificesbeing formed in the proximal portions thereof serving to house freelytwo cylindrical pegs 124, 125 whose central portions are securely fixedto the distal ends of the cables 104, 106.

[0162] The pulley 118 is also associated with two cylindrical guidepieces 126 and 127 mounted to rotate freely in two cylindrical orificesformed for this purpose through a distal partition of the housing 112containing the servo-motor 114 whose shaft 116 drives said pulley. Theseguide pieces have through orifices along which the cables 104 and 106slide freely, and they serve as adjustable abutments for the flexiblesheaths 108, 110 housing the cables 104 and 106, respectively.

[0163] Analogous guidance and abutment devices are associated with thepulley 119 on the shaft 117 of the motor 115 housed in the compartment113 and actuating the pair of cables 103 & 105.

[0164] More precisely, the cylindrical peg 124 freely housed in each ofthe two circular orifices provided for this purpose in the proximalportions of the side plates 121, 122 associated with the core 123 has atransverse through threaded orifice in which a cylindrical tubular piece132 is screwed, said piece having a distal channel in which the cable104 is freely housed, and a proximal channel coaxial therewith and ofsmaller diameter also serving to receive the cable 104 and having aproximal face which serves as an abutment for an endpiece 130 securelybonded to the distal end of the cable 104.

[0165] The cylindrical piece 126 freely housed in a cylindrical orificeformed for this purpose in the distal partition of the compartment 112housing the motor actuating the shaft 116 has a transverse throughthreaded orifice in which a cylindrical piece 128 is screwed. This piece128 is tubular in shape with a proximal channel in which the cable 104is freely housed and a distal channel of larger diameter on the sameaxis serving to house the sheath 108 and whose proximal end serves as anabutment for said sheath.

[0166] Analogous devices (cylindrical peg 134, threaded tubular piece133, bonded endpiece 131) serve to adjust the fixing of the cable 106and to adjust the abutment of the sheath 110 (cylindrical piece 127,threaded tubular piece 129).

[0167] The two servo-motors 114, 115 are controlled by a control deviceof the invention, as shown in FIG. 10. In this figure, the controldevice comprises a processor 151, e.g. of the microcontroller type,programmed to deliver two respective signals 146, 147 to control theservo-motors 114, 115.

[0168] The microcontroller 151 is connected to the followingelectromechanical control elements:

[0169] two contacts 142, 144 respectively causing the width of pulses146 applied to the motor 114 to increase and to decrease so as to steerthe bending section 11 in a first plane; and

[0170] two contacts 141, 143 respectively causing the width of pulses147 applied to the motor 115 to increase and to decrease so as to steerthe bending section 11 in a second plane perpendicular to the first.

[0171] The contacts 141 to 144 can be actuated by respectivemomentary-action pushbuttons (e.g. 24 in FIG. 1), i.e. the contacts areopen at rest and occupy the closed state while the correspondingpushbutton is held in a pressed configuration.

[0172] Alternatively, it is advantageous to provide a joystick 21 whichactuates the contacts 141 to 144 by being tilted. To actuate the pairsof contacts 141 & 143 and 142 & 144, it is also possible to provide tworocker buttons each having three respective states, i.e. a neutralposition in which both contacts of the corresponding pair are in theopen state, and two states in which one or the other of the two contactsin the pair is closed.

[0173] The motors 114 and 115 are conventional DC-powered servo-motors154 (e.g. powered at 5 volts (V)) delivered by a regulator 152 which isitself DC powered 153 (e.g. at 12 V). Furthermore, the servo-motors arecontrolled using control signals in the form of pulse trains at aconstant low frequency, e.g. 50 hertz (Hz).

[0174] The above-described control device operates as described below.

[0175] The shaft of the servo-motor 114 (or 115) and thus the pulley 118(or 119) secured to said shaft presents a total angular stroke α that islimited by construction (this is a characteristic specific toservo-motors), with α being equal to 160°, for example. One of theextreme angular positions of the pulley 118 (or 119), at an angle 0°,corresponds to maximum deformation of the distal bending section in onedirection and is obtained when the microcontroller 151 applies to theservo-motor 114 (or 115) a pulse train 146 (or 147) of minimum width(e.g. of duration equal to 0.8 milliseconds (ms)). The other extremeangular position of the pulley 118 (or 119) equal to α corresponds tothe distal bending section being maximally deformed in the directionopposite to the preceding direction and is obtained when themicrocontroller 151 transmits to the servo-motor 114 (or 115) a pulsetrain 146 (or 147) of maximum width (e.g. of duration equal to 2.2 ms).The middle angular position of the pulley 118 (or 119), equal to α/2,corresponding to the distal bending section being in a neutral position,is obtained when the microcontroller 151 transmits to the servo-motor114 (or 115) a pulse train 146 (or 147) of mean width (of duration equalto 1.5 ms when the maximum duration is 2.2 ms).

[0176] Variations in the angular position of the pulley 118 (or 119)starting from an initial position are driven in one direction by closingthe contact 142 (or 141) and in the opposite direction by closing thecontact 144 (or 143).

[0177] When both contacts 142, 144 (or 141, 143) are open, then thepulley 148 (or 149) remains stationary in an angular positioncorresponding to the width of the pulses 146 (or 147) applied by themicrocontroller 151 to the motor 114 (or 115) as determined by thepreceding manipulations of the contacts 142, 144 (or 141, 143).

[0178] If the contact 142 (or 141) is closed, then the microcontrollercauses the width of the pulses 146 (or 147) to increase progressivelyuntil the contact 142 (or 141) is opened again or until the maximumvalue for said width is reached.

[0179] In the opposite direction, if the contact 144 (or 143) is closed,then the microcontroller causes the width of the pulses 146 (or 147) todecrease progressively until the contact 144 (or 143) is opened again oruntil the minimum value for this width is reached. As a result, so longas the width of the pulses has not reached the minimum value or themaximum value, the amplitude of the variation in said width isproportional to the duration the corresponding contact has been closed.

[0180] The rate at which the width of the pulses 146 (or 147) is varied,and thus the speed at which the pulley 118 (or 119) is turned, and thusthe speed at which the bending section 11 is steered by closing thecontact 142 or 144 (or 141 or 143) is determined by the way themicrocontroller 151 is programmed.

[0181] By generating the control pulse trains 146, 147 for theservo-motors 114, 115 by using a microcontroller, it is possible at alltimes to be aware of the widths of the pulses applied to theservo-motors, and thus of the angular position of the pulleys driven bythe servo-motors. It is thus easy at all times to determine theorientation of the bending section. This orientation may be displayed onthe screen 5, e.g. by means of a symbol 163 representing the distal endof the bending section and positioned relative to two axes 161, 162 soas to indicate a horizontal deflection and a vertical deflection of thebending section (FIG. 11).

[0182] These dispositions also make it possible to adjust the rate atwhich the distal bending section 11 moves. It is convenient for thedisplacement of the distal bending section to be fast in order to scanthe zone being observed by the videoendoscope rapidly, and for it to beslow in order to be able to center a detail that is to be observedaccurately on the screen.

[0183] In order to modify the displacement speed of the distal bendingsection, and thus the rate at which the width of the pulses applied tothe servo-motors is varied, it is possible to provide a lockingpushbutton 149 which acts on a contact 150 connected to themicrocontroller 151. When the microcontroller detects that the contact150 is closed, it selects a fast speed for varying the width of thepulses 146, 147, thereby increasing the speed with which the distalbending section is steering. Conversely, if the pushbutton 149 ispressed again, the contact 150 returns to the open position. Themicroprocessor then selects the slow speed which is used for steeringthe bending section on detecting closure of any one of the contacts 141to 144.

[0184] The fast speed for varying the width of the pulses can also beactivated starting from the slow speed by the microcontroller actingautomatically in the event of one of the contacts 141 to 144 beingdetected in the closed position by the microcontroller 151 for a lengthof time that exceeds a predefined threshold, e.g. of the order of one ortwo seconds. Once the microcontroller detects that all of the contacts141 to 144 are in the open state, the slow speed is automaticallyselected so that the following steering command for the bending sectiontakes place slowly.

[0185] It is also possible to provide a pushbutton 22 on the controlpanel 20 for putting the bending section 11 into a neutral position, byacting on a momentary-action contact 148 which is connected to themicrocontroller so as to set the width of the pulses 146, 147 to thesame mean value corresponding to the pulleys 118 and 119 being in themiddles of their strokes (i.e. the pulleys 118, 119 being positioned atan angle equal to α/2), thereby canceling any previous deformationapplied to the distal bending section 11. The command for cancelingdeformation applied to the bending section is advantageously integratedin the joystick 21 so as to be triggered by pressing on the joystick.

[0186]FIGS. 12 and 13 show a storage and transport case 170 for theabove-described videoendoscope probe. The case 170 is provided with amovable lid 171 and contains an electrical power supply device and alighting generator. The top face 177 of the case 170 has a connectorbase 178 suitable for connection to mains in order to deliver power tothe power supply device and the lighting generator, and a lightingconnector base 179 in which the connection endpiece of the connectionunit 30 is plugged for connection to the umbilical cable 4.

[0187] The case 170 also has a recessed housing 175 for receiving thecontrol handle 2, a recessed housing 176 for receiving the umbilicalcable 4, and an opening 181 giving access to a storage housing for theinspection tube 10.

[0188] As shown in FIG. 13, the entire probe comprising the controlhandle 2, the inspection tube 10, and the umbilical cable 4 can behoused in the storage case 170 without it being necessary to disconnectthe probe.

[0189] The lid 171 contains a slab of protective foam 174 presenting twocavities 172, 173 serving, when the lid is closed on the case, to houseand protect portions of the control handle 2 and of the connection unit30 which project from the top face 177 of the case 170.

[0190] In the invention, the opening 181 for storing the inspection tube10 gives access to a drum 180 mounted to rotate freely, a portion of thecylindrical surface of the drum being visible via the window 181. Thisdrum is shown in greater detail in FIG. 14.

[0191] In this figure, the drum 180 comprises, in conventional manner,two side plates 182, 183 that are disk-shaped, with a cylindrical hub184 being held coaxially between them, the diameter of the hub beingslightly smaller than that of the side plates, the drum being rotatableabout its axis 191.

[0192] When the lid 171 is closed onto the case 170, the drum 180 isadvantageously prevented from moving by the slab of foam 174 by virtueof the side plates of the drum 180 projecting slightly above the topface 177 and thus penetrating a little into the slab of foam 174.

[0193] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the hub 184 has a central bore 192for receiving a pin on which to rotate, and holes 198 for fixing theside plates 182, 183. In the invention, the hub 184 also has a cavity195 for receiving the distal endpiece 12 of the inspection tube 10. Thiscavity is tubular in shape and opens out tangentially in the cylindricalsurface of the hub 184 via a transition zone 196 presenting acylindrical surface of radius smaller than that of the hub.

[0194] Advantageously, the cavity 195 is machined in one of the sidefaces of the hub 184 and is closed laterally by one of the side plates182, 183.

[0195] In order to store the inspection tube 10 in the case 170, itsuffices to insert the distal end 12 of the inspection tube 10 in thecavity 195 of the drum 180, which drum is accessible through the window181 in the case 170, and then to push on the inspection tube. Since thecavity 195 is tangential to the cylindrical surface of the hub, theinsertion force exerted on the inspection tube 10 causes the drum 180 toturn. Once a certain length of inspection tube has been wound onto thedrum, the drum can be turned by hand about its axis 191 whilerestraining the inspection tube slightly so as to keep it pressedagainst the drum.

[0196] By means of these dispositions, the distal endpiece 12 of theinspection tube is thoroughly protected in the cavity 195 and the forceneeded for turning the drum is constant regardless of the length of tubethat has already been wound, unlike the spiral tube of the prior art.

[0197] In addition, since the drum is easily turned by hand through theopening 181, there is no need to provide means for driving the drum.

[0198] Advantageously, the hub 184 in which the cavity 195 is made isitself made of a material that presents a high coefficient of friction.In this way, the distal endpiece 12 of the probe is held in the cavity195 with greater effectiveness while the inspection tube is being woundabout the hub. Thus, the hub can be made, for example, out of a hardcellular foam which presents the advantage of being light in weight, ofhaving a coefficient of friction that is high, and of being easy tomachine.

[0199] The inside diameter of the cylindrical cavity 195 is preferablyslightly greater than the greatest diameter of the distal endpiece ofthe inspection tube that is to be wound about the drum 180.

What is claimed is:
 1. A videoendoscope comprising: an inspection probecomprising an inspection tube having a distal endpiece housing anoptoelectronic imaging device delivering an electrical signal; a videoprocessor for processing the electrical signal delivered by the imagingdevice in order to generate a video signal; a control handle comprisinga control unit secured to the proximal end of the inspection tube andprovided with means for controlling and adjusting the video processor;an umbilical connection cable having a distal end secured to the controlunit for connecting the videoendoscope to a light source and to anelectrical power supply; a display unit including a video display screenconnected to the video processor in order to display the video signal;and a bundle of lighting fibers integrated without interruption in theumbilical cable, in the control handle, and then in the inspection tube,and having a distal end housed in the distal endpiece that serves tolight a target observed by the probe when a proximal end of theumbilical cable is connected to a light generator; wherein the displayunit is secured to a side face of the control unit, the control unithaving a control panel on a top face and carrying control memberscomprising said means for controlling and adjusting the video processor,and being of elongate shape between its distal end and its proximal endso as to be suitable for being held in one hand while allowing thecontrol members to be actuated by using the thumb of said hand.
 2. Avideoendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the umbilical cable isconnected to the control unit via a side face thereof.
 3. Avideoendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is securedto the control unit via a hinge enabling the display screen to be tiltedabout an axis perpendicular to the side face of the control unit, thedisplay unit being electrically coupled to the control unit by means ofelectrical conductors passing through the hinge.
 4. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 3, wherein the hinge is constituted by a connectorproviding releasable mechanical and electrical connection between thedisplay unit and the control unit.
 5. A videoendoscope according toclaim 1, wherein the proximal end of the umbilical cable is secured to aconnection unit fitted with connection means for connection to theproximal end of the bundle of lighting fibers and to a light generator,and connection means for connecting the videoendoscope probe to anelectrical power supply.
 6. A videoendoscope according to claim 5,wherein the connection endpiece has fixing means for fixing a mechanicaladapter to adapt the connection endpiece to the connection endpiece ofany light generator, the control panel including a control member forcontrolling initialization of the video processor as a function of thecolor temperature of the lamp of the light generator.
 7. Avideoendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the video processor isincluded in the control unit.
 8. A videoendoscope according to claim 7,wherein the control unit has mechanical and electrical coupling means onboth side faces to enable the display unit to be fixed and electricallyconnected to either side face of the control unit.
 9. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 1, wherein the video processor is integrated in thedisplay unit.
 10. A videoendoscope according to claim 1, wherein thevideo processor is integrated in a connection unit for connecting theproximal end of the umbilical cable to an external unit.
 11. Avideoendoscope according to claim 5, wherein the connection unit furthercomprises connection means for connecting the probe to a system forprocessing and/or storing images, the videoendoscope probe furthercomprising switch means designed to deliver to the video screen eitherthe video signal coming from the video processor or the video signalcoming from the system for processing and/or storing images.
 12. Avideoendoscope according to claim 11, wherein the control unit has meansfor controlling a system for processing and/or storing images, whichsystem is connected to the connection means of the connect unit, saidconnection means including a pin for transmitting the video signalgenerated by the video processor to a video input of the system forprocessing and/or storing images, a pin for transmitting to the switchmeans a video signal generated by the system for processing and/orstoring images, and a pin for connecting the control means of thecontrol unit to a control interface of the system for processing and/orstoring images.
 13. A videoendoscope according to claim 11, furthercomprising means for controlling the switch means to direct the videosignal coming from the system for processing and/or storing images tothe video screen immediately said system is connected to the connectionmeans.
 14. A videoendoscope according to claim 11, wherein the switchmeans are integrated in the control unit.
 15. A videoendoscope accordingto claim 11, wherein the switch means are integrated in the displayunit.
 16. A videoendoscope according to claim 11, wherein the switchmeans are integrated in the connection unit.
 17. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 11, wherein the connection means for connecting theprobe to a system for processing and/or storing images includes aconnection pin enabling the videoendoscope to be powered from anelectrical power supply associated with the system for processing and/orstoring images.
 18. A videoendoscope according to claim 11, wherein theconnection unit includes means for connecting the videoendoscope probeto an auxiliary electrical power supply.
 19. A videoendoscope accordingto claim 11, wherein the connection unit includes means for connectingthe videoendoscope probe to an auxiliary video monitor, the switch meansincluding means for sending the video signal applied to the input of thevideo screen towards the connection means for connection to theauxiliary video monitor.
 20. A videoendoscope according to claim 11,wherein the control handle has means for controlling the switch means.21. A videoendoscope according to claim 1, wherein the control unitfurther comprises: an electromechanical device designed to deform adeformable distal bending section integrated in the distal end of theinspection tube in order to steer the distal end of the inspection tubeand thus steer the observation window of the probe, theelectromechanical device comprising two motors actuating the distalbending section via two respective pairs of cables for steering thedistal end of the inspection tube in two respective planes; a processordelivering two control signals that are applied respectively to the twomotors; and command input means comprising two command input membersconnected to the processor to input commands intended for the two motorsrespectively, each of the two command members having a first state inwhich the processor controls the corresponding motor to keep theorientation of the distal end of the inspection tube fixed, and secondand third states in which the processor controls the respective motor tocause the distal end of the inspection tube to vary its orientationrespectively in one direction and in the opposite direction.
 22. Avideoendoscope according to claim 21, wherein each of the motors is ofthe servo-motor type actuating a pulley coupled to a respective cablepair and of angular position that can be controlled by the respectivecontrol signal generated by the processor and applied to the motor, eachcontrol signal being in the form of a pulse train, with the width of thepulses corresponding to a determined angular position of the pulley, theprocessor comprising means for keeping the width of the pulses in eachcontrol signal constant so long as the respective control member is inits first state, and for increasing and decreasing the width of thepulses at a predefined speed whenever the corresponding control memberis respectively in its second or third state.
 23. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 21, including an additional control member integratedin the control panel and connected to the processor to cause the widthof the pulses in the control signals applied to the motors to becontrolled in such a manner as to be equal to a middle valuecorresponding to zero deformation of the distal bending section.
 24. Avideoendoscope according to claim 23, wherein the additional controlmember is integrated in the control input means for controlling thedistal bending section.
 25. A videoendoscope according to claim 21,wherein each of the two control members comprises a pair of contactswhich are both open in the first state, with one or other of thecontacts being closed in the second and third states.
 26. Avideoendoscope according to claim 25, wherein each of the controlmembers comprises two pushbuttons integrated in the control panel toactuate two respective contacts which are in the open state when atrest, and which pass to the closed state when the correspondingpushbutton is held pressed down.
 27. A videoendoscope according to claim21, wherein the means for inputting commands for the bending sectioncomprise a joystick suitable for actuating both command input memberssimultaneously.
 28. A videoendoscope according to claim 21, including anadditional control member integrated in the control panel to modify thespeed at which the distal end of the inspection tube is steered byselecting a slow speed or a fast speed.
 29. A videoendoscope accordingto claim 21, wherein the processor is programmed to select a fast speedof variation for steering the distal end the inspection tube if at leastone of the two control members is maintained in the second or thirdstate for a duration longer than a predefined threshold, and to select aslow speed for varying the steering of the distal end of the inspectiontube if both control members are in the first state.
 30. Avideoendoscope according to claim 21, wherein the processor isprogrammed to determine the orientation of the distal end of theinspection tube as a function of the form of the control signals appliedrespectively to two motors, and to display on the display screen symbolsrepresenting the determined orientation.
 31. A videoendoscope accordingto claim 1, including a storage and transport case containing anelectrical power supply and a lighting generator, the storage casecontaining a drum around which the probe can be wound, the drum beingmounted in such a manner as to be capable of turning freely about itsaxis and having a tubular cavity for receiving the distal end of theprobe, and opening out tangentially to the cylindrical surface of thedrum.
 32. A videoendoscope according to claim 31, wherein the drumcomprises a central hub held between two side plates on the same axis,the cavity being made from one of the side faces of the hub and beingclosed latterly by one of the two side plates.
 33. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 31, wherein the central hub is made of a materialpresenting a high coefficient of friction.
 34. A videoendoscopeaccording to claim 32, wherein the central hub is made of a hardcellular foam.
 35. A videoendoscope according to claim 31, wherein thestorage case has a housing in which the drum is secured, the housingpossessing an opening giving access to a portion of the cylindricalsurface of the drum.
 36. A videoendoscope according to claim 31, whereinthe case has a lid whose inside face is covered in foam, the drum beingmounted in the case in such a manner as to be prevented from rotating bythe foam in the lid when the lid is closed on the case.
 37. Avideoendoscope according to claim 31, wherein the inside diameter of thecylindrical cavity is slightly greater than the greatest diameter of thedistal end of the probe that is to be wound about the drum.